New Harold Wood memorial statue unveiled in time for Remembrance Sunday

A new war memorial has been installed outside of Harold Wood library. The Mayor of Havering, Councillor Dilip Patel (second right) and the leader of the council, Councillor Damian White were at the unveiling last week. Photo: Havering Council/Mark Sepple

Havering Council/Mark Sepple

A new memorial statue to honour fallen war heroes has been erected in Harold Wood.

The Mayor of Havering and other councillors and members of the public gathered to unveil the new World War One war memorial in Harold Wood last week. Photo: Havering Council/Mark Sepple

The stone cross that now stands in front of the library in Arundel Road was unveiled last week, and Councillor Brian Eagling has said it gives people a place to be able to pay their respects no matter what time of the day it is.

There is also a memorial hall in Gubbins Lane, that is often used by members of the public and hosts a service on Remembrance Sunday.

The new statue was funded by Havering Council, and was unveiled by the Mayor of Havering, the leader of Havering Council and other council members on Thursday (November 1.)

Councillor Brian Eagling said: “Over the last few years Harold Wood has been growing and growing, and it is great we now have something where people can come to remember their loved ones 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

“It’s a very old area, I just feel it was right we should have something like this.

“I am very proud to have this new statue in the centre of Harold Wood, and I am proud of what we have achieved.

“It is a great way to honour our fallen heroes who gave their lives so bravely for our country.”

The statue also has plaques to commemorate those from Harold Wood who died during World War One.

To celebrate the new statue, and as part of Remembrance Sunday a service will take place on Sunday (November 11).

The service will start at 10.40am, and there will be representatives from the Harold Wood Royal British Legion, members of the Upminster and Hornchurch sea cadets and Major Purvez Bhadhuddin from Romford.

There will also be a bugler, and the sea cadets will perform a salute to commemorate 100 years since the end of World War One.